Meanwhile, in an unusual intervention, Dr Fox has also been supported by a prominent Labour MP.

Mr Dugher, a former Labour adviser at the MoD, said his party should be supporting Dr Fox in his arguments with the Treasury.

He said: “Supporting and protecting the brave men and women who risk their lives in the service of our country should be central to what Labour does in opposition – even if it means, for the moment at least, supporting Liam Fox in his war with the battalion of bean-counters at the Treasury.”